Psalm 98 3

Psalm 98:3 kjv

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalm 98:3 nkjv

He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalm 98:3 niv

He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalm 98:3 esv

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalm 98:3 nlt

He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Psalm 98 3 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 12:3I will bless those who bless you, ... all the families of the earth shall be blessed.God's blessing to nations through Abraham
Deut 7:9...the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant...God's faithfulness to His covenant
Isa 2:2-3...the mountain of the Lord’s house... all nations shall flow to it...Nations coming to God's salvation
Isa 11:10...a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the peoples; for the Gentiles shall seek Him...Gentiles seeking the Messiah
Isa 45:22“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."Universal call to salvation
Isa 49:6"Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing...I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"Messiah as salvation to the ends of the earth
Isa 52:10The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.Direct parallel, visible universal salvation
Ps 22:27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord...Universal turning to God
Ps 67:2That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.God's salvation revealed to all nations
Ps 96:3Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.Proclamation of God's glory to all peoples
Zech 9:10...His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.’God's universal reign
Luke 1:72to perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant...God's remembrance of covenant, fulfilling Ps 98:3
Luke 2:30-32"For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles..."Simeon's prophecy of universal salvation through Christ
Acts 1:8"...you shall be witnesses to Me... to the end of the earth."Disciples tasked with universal witness
Acts 13:47"For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’"Paul applying Isaiah 49:6 to missionary work
Rom 10:18But I say, have they not heard? Yes, indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”Universal spread of the gospel
Eph 2:11-13...that at that time you were without Christ, ... but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near...Gentiles brought into salvation through Christ
Mic 7:20You will give truth to Jacob And mercy to Abraham, Which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old.God's steadfast faithfulness to Abraham and Jacob
Heb 8:10"For this is the covenant that I will make... I will put My laws in their mind...Fulfillment of the New Covenant with Israel and Judah
Rev 15:4Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You...All nations worshipping God
Col 1:27...God willed to make known... this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.Christ bringing glory to Gentiles

Psalm 98 verses

Psalm 98 3 Meaning

Psalm 98:3 is a joyful declaration of God's unchanging character and redemptive actions. It affirms that God has faithfully remembered and acted upon His covenantal promises of mercy and steadfast love towards the nation of Israel. As a result of these mighty acts of salvation, the verse proclaims that His delivering power and saving work have become visibly manifest and acknowledged by all the inhabitants and nations of the earth, testifying to His universal reign and authority.

Psalm 98 3 Context

Psalm 98 is one of the "Enthronement Psalms" (Psalms 93, 95-99) which celebrate the universal kingship of the Lord. The chapter calls for a "new song" because the Lord "has done marvelous things" (v. 1). These marvelous things are God's righteous and victorious acts of salvation. Historically, this Psalm could be seen as a celebration of past deliverances, such as the Exodus from Egypt, which vividly displayed God's power to His people. It also looks forward prophetically to the ultimate, universal revelation of God's saving power. For the ancient Israelite audience, the idea of God's salvation extending to "all the ends of the earth" was significant, reinforcing their unique role as a chosen nation through whom divine truth and blessing would ultimately spread to all humanity, contrasting with the limited regional scope of pagan deities.

Psalm 98 3 Word analysis

  • He has remembered (זָכַר - zakhar): This is more than a passive recall; it implies an active, covenantal remembrance leading to decisive action. God remembers His promises and acts upon them, demonstrating His unfailing character and commitment.
  • His mercy (חֶסֶד - chesed): Often translated as "steadfast love," "loving-kindness," or "loyal love." It describes God's faithful, unfailing love rooted in His covenant relationship. It signifies an enduring, active commitment and grace.
  • and His faithfulness (וֶאֱמוּנָה - ve'emunah): Refers to reliability, trustworthiness, and loyalty. Paired with chesed, it emphasizes God's consistent and dependable character in keeping His word.
  • to the house of Israel: This specifies the initial, direct recipients of God's chesed and emunah. It acknowledges God's specific election and covenant with Israel as the channel through whom His plan for the world would unfold.
  • All the ends of the earth: A common biblical idiom representing universality, referring to all peoples and nations globally, regardless of geographical remoteness or cultural background. It conveys the idea of full worldwide extent.
  • have seen: Implies a clear, undeniable, and publicly witnessed manifestation, not merely a rumor or abstract concept. It suggests that God's actions are demonstrably evident for all to behold.
  • the salvation (יְשׁוּעָה - yeshu'ah): A comprehensive term meaning deliverance, help, victory, and rescue. It encompasses spiritual, physical, and ultimate redemptive acts. In the context of the Psalms, it often refers to God's powerful interventions in history, His mighty acts of liberation, and His eschatological deliverance.
  • of our God: Connects this universal salvation explicitly to Yahweh, the one true God, worshipped by Israel. It asserts His unique identity and supreme power above all other gods, claiming universal proprietorship over this saving work.

Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness": This phrase highlights the source of God's redemptive actions – His inherent, unchanging character. His steadfast love and unwavering loyalty drive His interventions. It implies continuity of purpose through all generations.
  • "to the house of Israel": This phrase establishes the historical and covenantal channel through which God chose to work. Israel's election was not an end in itself, but the foundational step in a plan destined for global reach. God's faithfulness to Israel precedes and enables the universal manifestation.
  • "All the ends of the earth have seen": This part emphasizes the scope and visibility of God's actions. It signifies that God's work, initially focused on Israel, ultimately has a global impact and is not hidden. It is an undeniable, public display of divine power and glory that transcends boundaries.
  • "the salvation of our God": This defines the content of what has been seen and underscores God's singular authorship. It is His deliverance, His victory, distinguishing Him as the sole source of true rescue for all humanity, affirming His reign over all creation.

Psalm 98 3 Bonus section

The concept of יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah), salvation, directly correlates with the Hebrew name יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua), which is Jesus' name in Hebrew. Thus, this verse carries strong messianic undertones, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's universal salvation in Christ. The Psalm's call to "sing a new song" for God's marvelous deeds ties directly to this grand revelation of His universal salvation. The act of "seeing" God's salvation globally implies not just passive observation but an experiential recognition leading to worship and conversion, reflecting the Great Commission to proclaim this very salvation to every creature.

Psalm 98 3 Commentary

Psalm 98:3 stands as a pivotal declaration within the praise of God's universal reign. It illuminates the foundational reasons for the "new song" called for in the Psalm: God's character-driven actions. His mercy and faithfulness, foundational to His covenant with Israel, are not confined to them but serve as the pathway through which His global saving plan unfolds. This verse anticipates the spreading of the Gospel to the Gentiles, prophetically fulfilled in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's salvation (Yeshua). It's a statement against the provincial gods of the nations; the God of Israel is the God whose salvation is visibly effective throughout the entire world. For believers, it serves as an enduring reminder that God's past fidelity guarantees future fulfillments of His redemptive promises.